Feed control for planers and the like



Jan. 25, 1944. w. R. MILLER 2,340,199

FEED CONTROL FOR PLANERS AND THE LIKE v 7 Sheets-Sheet l- Filed May 14, 1942 Jan. 25, 1944. w. R. MILLER FEED CONTROL FOR PLANERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 14, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 a a a 3 a W a S Q Q n 7////////// 7 w 9 4 w s w .2 6 VA 7 40 w 0M 1 6 u 4 [N m w w T 0 7 AJ Z. 5 I .0 \7 l v 5 u n Q. 9 6 i 4 7 1 My .3 z n II n 5 4 v A a Z 6 M 5 Tw 4 J J J Jan. 25, 1944.

W. R. MILLER FEED CONTROL FOR PLAN ERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 14, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 25, 1944. w MILLER FEED CONTROL FOR-PLANERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 14, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 25, .1944. w, R, ,W L R I 2,340,199

FEED CONTROL FO R PLANERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 14, 1942 7 Sheets- Sheet 5 \\\\\&\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 1 Jan. 25, 1944. w. R. MILLER FEED CONTROL FOR PLANERS AND THE LIKE Filed May 14, 1942 7 Sheets-:Sheet 6 Y Jan. 25,1944. w. R. MILLER 2,340,199

FEED CONTROL FOR PLANERS-AND THE-LIKE Filed May 14, .1942 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Jan. 25, 1944 1 UNITED STATES PATENT osncs William R. ltfi iller, Philadelphia, Pa.. assiglriorito Wm. Sellers & Company, Iiic., Philadelphia, Pin, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 14, 1942, Serial Not 143,016

'17 Claims. (oi. 9054's) This invention relates to feed control mechanisms for the heads of planers and the like and has for an important object thereof the provision of a magnetic control for the various functions of a feed head, cr heads, on tools ofthis general character. I

An important object of the invention is the provision in an apparatus of this character oiarr extremely simple and emcient magnetic control mechanism which is readily adjustable to determine the extent of feedand to repetitively advance the toolto the work through a seiecteol distance without further attention on the part of the operator.

I A- still further object of the inventionis theproduction of a simple and convenient magnetic clutch mechanism for use insucna'feed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved mechanism for returningthe feed control to its original setting followmg each operation thereof; and to-provide means" to control the speed atwhich the clutch return-s."

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent'throughout the course of the following description;

In" the accompanying drawings, whereinforthe purpose of illustration I have shown my invention as applied to the feed controlsof a planer,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of a planer embodying my'feed control;

Fig. 2 is a horizontalsectional view throughthe control mechanismonline 2-2 of Fig. 4;-

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3- of Fig; 2;

Fig. 4 is a section 'on line 5-4- of Fig; 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5'5- of Fig.2;

' Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6- of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 'i'l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional View illustrating the manner of controllingthe feed mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view illustrating the method of controlling the pressure-resisting return of the feed control mechanism toi-ts' zero position; and

Fig; 10 is a wiring diagram illustratinggenerally' the controls for the mechanism.

Referring now more particularly to thedrawings, the numeral It! generally designates the bedof a planer from the sides-of which nous-- ings llarise, the upper ends of these housings supporting a head frame i2 which mounts food drive motor not herein specifically closed. Vertically adjustable along the hous ings H through Worms I3 is cross-rail l4 bear-- ingsaddles l5 mounting the cuttingtools for operating upon-work mounted upon a recaprocable table it Sumner-ted by the bed. Hi. I The tool slides H- of saddles tiare' vertically amuse. able-and the saddles themselves may lie-moved longitudinally of; the cross-rail i i. At one end of the cross-rail is mountecl a control head lit by which movement of. the tool slides and-oi the saddles themselves is eiiected Reciprocation-of table It upon the bed is controlled through lim it switches 58' and 20 these switches bieing en gauged by adjustable trip elements zl carried by the table.- lhe switches is and i l)" are. com-- bined in a' single structure: and while only one of the trips 2i appears" in- Fig. I, it will be under-- stood that a correspondingtrip is disposed atthe opposite end of the bed.

- The feed motor drives a shaft 22' which projectsthroug-h the housing or the control head and isengageable with the mechanism of the c'ontrol'head through a clutch rriehanismirag merita'rilyiliustraitd at '23 in- Figs. 3 and L4 Traverse oi the saddles t5 in either direction 'i-scontrolled by worms 2 4 and 25; one of controls the movement of each saddle; while vertical movement of the tool slides is controlled by' aspline shaft 26 common to both saddles; The ends of worms 24 and 25 and shaft 26pm j'ec't into-the housing of head IB WhereeaGh has; an identical mountingand coaction' with an associated stub shaft 210,,- Z'lh or i'lyrespectively with the result that description of one thereof willsufifiee: For the purposes of the presentd'iscu'ssion the spline" shaft 26 is selected.- As shown more particuarly in Fig-t 2,- this shaft projects into the housing and has its inner end: engaged-in-abearing n-iounteizl' in a head formed on the inner end of an aligned stiile shaft 21s It is provided within" the housing with a loose gear 28' and with aclutch 29' which is spl-iired-f' t0- tlie'shait iii andma'v be utilized'to s'eie'euven connectthe gear 28 or the stub shait'ZT to shaft 2 5:, movements of this elutch'heing ohtaiiied through-a shifting arm 315: The stub shatt 2-1 hasrotatably' mounted me e-messes 3t and 32- whi'cnmay he selectively earn-meats the stubsii a ftbyaspI-ined clutch element 33, Ope rat 0T is 'fiedted th-l'tiliigfi 3L Shifting at. ntegear oi stub shafts'i td and z nes spend "g tothe gears 31 and 32- are enmes therewith" as more cieany shown. in Fig. 4. I tl-"Iehousing there is nlounted a shaft" 35 having secured thereto a gear it whi'c'm through pinion 31 and bevel gears 73% and 39 (manner arm-silty shaft 229 isdriveniibjz the? feed motor. Ke'j ed' tothe" shaft '35- is one ele-.

3| and 32 of shaft 21 but disposed upon stub shafts 21a and 211) do not mesh with the gear 42 as may be seen fro'm an inspection of Figure 4 in which thegear 45 upon stub shaft 21a is the gear corresponding to the gear 32 of stub shaft 21.

To provide for reversal of operation of stub shafts 21, 21a and 21b, a connection is provided between gear 42 and the train of shafts 21, 21a and 21b which includes gears 45 and 32. This connection is at present shown asjjcomprising a shaft 44 bearing gears 43 and 43a of which the gear 43 meshes with the gear 42 and. l

the gear 43a meshes with an idler gear 45 in turn meshing with the gear 46 of stub shaft 21a. It will be seen that by connecting the shaft 26 to the stub shaft 21 and thereby disconnecting this shaft from the gear 36, shaft 26 may be driven in either direction from gear 42 through suitable selection effected at the control handle 34. Reverse operation of shaft 26 may also be obtained from gear 36 by connecting shaft 26 thereto and controlling the direction of operationv of the feed motor, this latter connection being employed in traverse movements of the tool slide, of either saddle. It will be understood that corresponding operation of the saddles themselves may be obtained by rendering effective the feed worms thereof, these worms being driven from the gear 28 by intermeshing gears arranged upon worms 24 and 25.

Longitudinally shiftably mounted upon the shaft 35 is an armature element 46 associated with a magnet 41 stationarily supported by casing l8. This armature element includes a housing sleeve 48 surrounding the clutch element 40 and the inner end of the clutch element 4|. Arranged within the housing formed by sleeve 48 and the clutch elements 40, 4| is a sectional clutch ring 49. Each ofthe clutch elements 40 and 4| includes a series of plates 50 held against rotation with relation thereto and interengaged with corresponding clutch plates held against rotation with relation to sleeve 48. The outer end of the housing sleeve 48 has adjustably mounted thereon a clamping collar 5| adjustment of which is effected through threaded engagement between the sleeve and collar and maintained by means of a latch 52. It will be obvious that upon operation of the magnet 41 the housing sleeve, through armature 45, is drawn to the right (Fig. 2),

thereby clamping the plates of the clutch to one another and connecting elements 43 and 4| of the clutch together for simultaneous rotation with one another and with shaft 35, thereby rotating gear 42. for separating the plates ofthe clutch upon deenergization of magnet 41, thus freeing the clutch sections from one another and enabling gear 42 to remain stationary during reverse movement of the clutch sleeve, ashereinafter described. To insure against reverse movement of gear 42, this gear has associated therewith a brake 54 the tension of which may be adjusted as at 55. Brake 54 is secured to the housing of head |8, and more particularly to a removable front plate 56 thereof.

Surrounding the sleeve 48 is a spring housing 51. This housing is formed ininner and outer sections, the outer section being fixed to the 110115? Means are provided as at 53 ing of head l8 while the inner is keyed as at '58 to sleeve 48 in a manner permitting a slight longitudinal movement of the sleeve therethrough. A coil spring 59 has its inner end secured to the inner housing section, and its outer end secured to the outer housing section, the spring being coiled in such fashion that upon each operation of the clutch in a given direction the spring is tensioned and thus serves as a means for restoring the sleeve 48 and the associated armature 46 to their normal position upon de-energization of magnet 41.

The limits of the rotation which may be effected by the clutch elements is controlled in one direction through a ring gear 80 rotatably supported by armature 45 and sleeve 48 and adjustable'to a selected fixed position. In the present instance ring gear 68 is shown as meshing with a pinion 8| mounted upon a stub shaft 52. Stub shaft 52 has a worm gear 53 engaged by a worm 54 which may be rotated through a control handle 65. Preferably, the control handle additionally operates a dial 66 which provides the operator an indication of the extent of the feed. It will be obvious that the worm and gear connection between the operating handle and gear .60 will provide an efi'ective lock against accidental rotation of the gear 88 but additional locking means may be provided if so desired and these are generally designated at 61. Ring gear 68 has an axially projecting segment 53 arranged in the path of a stop 89 carried by sleeve 48 which serves to limit rotation of the sleeve 48 in one direction. The housing of head H3 includes a fixed stop 10 at present shown as secured to a partition 1| in the housing of head l8 which positively limits rotation of sleeve 48 in the opposite direction. Sleeve 48 includes a cam element 12 which, as stop 89 engages fixed stop 18, comes into engagement with a lever 13 and through this lever actuates the plunger 14 of a limit switch 15 opening the circuit of magnet 41 and thereby disconnecting sections 48 and 4| of the clutch. As previously noted, when the sections of the clutch are released, the loaded spring 59 will reversely rotate sleeve 48 until the stop 69 engages the projecting segment 68 of gear B8when its reverse movement is checked.

In order to control the speed of return of the sleeve 48 to its zero position and thus avoid unnecessary shocks to the mechanism, I provide the sleeve 48 with an eccentric 13 and utilize this eccentric to actuate the plunger 11 of a pump 18. Pump 18 is disposed below the normal oil level within the head l8 and the effluent from this pump is led through a conduit 19 to an outlet 88 controlled by a spring-seated check valve 8|, the pressure of the spring of which is adjustable as at 82. Adjustment of check valve 8| permits the speed of return of the sleeve to be accurately gauged and thus determines the minimum interval between successive feeds.

In the operation of the mechanism above described, let it be assumed that the master switch M and switch 28 controlling the operation of the feed motor 83 and the circuit of magnet 41 are so set that the circuit on the magnet 41 is completed. Completion of this circuit likewise completes, through relay 84, the circuit 85 of feed motor 83 thereby driving shaft 35 and clutching together the sections 48 and 4| of the magnetic clutch, with the result, that gear 42, housing sleeve 48, and the magnet rotate as a unit driving stub shaft 21 andrshaft 26 which, at this time, will be connectedto stub shaft 21 through clutch aeadree 2 9. The direction of rotationactually imparted to shaft 2% may be selected by clutch 33. As ro tation of housing sleeve continues, the stop 69 engages the fixed stop Immediately prior to this engagement thecam 12 upon sleeve 48- engageslever l3- and thereby opens switch 15, thus releasing the holding coil- 86- of master switch M andpermitting this-switchtocpen; The clutch elementsare thusreleased from one anothenper mitting housing sleeve 48 to rotate reversely un-- tilstop 69 again engages the projecting segment 58 oi ring gear 60'. While switch 15- will againclose immediately uponrecession: oi thecamelement 'I'Z therefrom the circuit oi -themaster switch will not be reestablished due tothe fact that-the circuit of theholding coil will be open at the relay 81. A successive feeding operation is therefore, impossible until the table movement has: closed. bothof switches 2a and I 9; suchc'losing occurringin the sequencenamed, Switch will be closed on the start of. the return movement of the table, andswitch l9 at the close of this; return movement, thus rendering, it impossible to automaticallyrepeatthefeed movement'- until the cutting. stroke has been completed. With the closing of switch l9' the circuit of the coil- 85 is closed, assuming that on-ofi switch 88 is closed and the selected feed' movement will again be repeated.

While I have illustrated my invention as applied to the control head of the cross-rail of a planer, it will be obvious that the construction illustrated is capable'of adaptation to a vast number of similar control devices as, for example, to the control of sideheads for planers such asthat illustrated at 89 inFig. 1.

Since the constructiorris obviously capable of considerable-modification withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, I do not Wish to be understood as" limiting myself to that hereinillustrated except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: 1 In a feed control of the type described,v a feed shaft; means for selectively driving saidshaft in either direction comprising'a clutch elementrotatable in'opposite directions, means Desi-- tively defining the limitsof rotation of said clutch in either direction, means operatively connecting thenclutch element and shaft during rotation ofsaid element in one direction only, means to prevent rotation-of the shait'during rotation of the clutch element in the opposite direction, and means for controlling the speed of movement of the clutch in the last-named direction. I

2. In a feed control. of the type described, a feedshaft, means for selectively driving said shaft in either direction comprising a clutch element rotatable in opposite directions, means including fixed and adjustable stops positively de-- fining the limits ofrotation of said clutch in either direction, means operativelyconnecting the clutch element and shaft during rotation of said element in-onedirection only, means to prevent rotation of theshaft during rotation of the clutch element in the opposite direction, and means for controlling the speedofmovement of the clutch in the last-named direction.

- 3. In a feed control of the type described, a plurality of feed shafts, means for selectively driving said-shafts including a clutch element rotatable in opposite directions, means positively in one direction, means topreventrotation of the selected shaftduring rotation of the clutch ele ment inthe opposite direction and meansfor controlling the speed of mov'ement of the clutch section in the last-named direction,

4. In a feed control of the type described and in combination; a; reciprocable table, switch means controlling: the" extent of reciprocatior iof the table, a carrier shif-ta-ble in: a direction trar i's verse tothe direction of table travel, means controlling operation of the: carrier comprising a; drive shaft, a worm for advancing the carrier, a clutch to connect the drive" and warm shafts, means'to engage said clutch operable at one limit only or the table travel andmeansto p'leVel' it fe petitiv'e operation of clutch untiitne cycle or operation of the: recipro'cable table i's' (5611 1-- pleted 5" In a feedc'ontrolo'f thetypedescrib'cd audit-i combination, a reciprocabl'e table, switch means controlling the extent ofreciprocation of the table, a carrier shiftable in a direction transverse to the direction or table travel, means contrast ling operation of the carrier comprising a drive shaft driven in one direction only, a-worm' for advancingthe carrier, means to connect the worm and said drive shaft including a clutch element rotatable. in opposite directions, meansi'ncluding an adjustable; stop=for limiting rotation of said clutch element'in opposite directions, means to positively connect the drive shaft and clutch element during rotationof the clutch element iri one' d-ireoticn, means" to disconnect the drive shaft and worm from said clutch-element af-te'r a s'elect ed rotation ofthe clutch element, means to reversely rotate the clutchelement when discon necte'd and-means to'prevent repetitive operation of said clutch-element during a cycle of operation of the reciprocabl'e table;

6. In a feed control of the type described an incombination, a reciprooa-ble tableswitch means controlling the eX t'ent of reciprocation ofthe ta ble, a carrier shiftabl'e ina direction transverse to the direction of table travekmeans controlling operation of the carrier comprising a drive shaft driven in one direction only, a worm for adv'anc' ing the carrier,- means-to connect the Worm and said drive shaft including a clutch element rotatable in opposite directions, means including an adjustable stop for limiting rotation of said clutch element inopposite dircctions, means to-positively connect the drive shaftand clutch element during rotation of the clutch elementin one direction, means to disconnect the drive shaft and worm from said clutch element after a selected rotation of the clutch element, means to reversely rotate the clutch element when disconnected, and means to prevent repetitive" operation of said clutchele-- ment duringa cycle ofoperation of the reciproca-- ble table comprising a motor to drive said drive shaft,-a normally-open circuit therefor and means to prevent closing of said motor circuit until said limit switches have been cyclicallyoperated.

'7. In a feed control of the type described and in combination, a reciprocable table, switch means controlling the extent of reciprocation of theta ble, a cutting tool carrier shiftable' in a direction transverse to the direction of table travel, mean'a controlling operation of the carrier compris'inga' drive shaft, aworm-for advancing the cutter car rier, means to connect the worm and said drive shaft including a clutch element rotatable inopposite directions,means'including an adjustable stopfor limiting rotation" of said clutch element in opposite directions, means to positively-connect the drive shaft and clutch element during rotation of the clutch element in one direction, means to disconnect the drive shaft and said clutch element after a selected rotation of the clutch element, means activated during positive connection of the drive shaft and clutch for returning theclutch element, to a predetermined normal position, means forpreventing. operation of; the worm during return movementof said clutch element and means to prevent repetitive operation of said clutch element during a cycle of operation ofthe reciprocable table.

. 8. In a feed control of the type described, a feed shaft, means for selectively driving said shaft in either direction comprising a clutch element rotatable in opposite directions, -means positively defining the limits of rotation of said clutch in either direction, means operatively connecting the clutch element and shaft during rotation of said element in one direction only, means to prevent rotation of the shaft during rotation of the clutch element in the opposite direction, means to rotate the clutch element in the last-named direction, a fluidrpressure system charged by and resisting rotation of the clutch element in the last named direction, and an adjustable escape port for said fluid pressure system.

9. In a feed control of the type described, a feed shaft, means for selectively driving said shaft in eitherdircction comprising a clutch element rotatable in opposite directions, means including fixed and adjustable stops positively defining the limits of rotation of said clutch in either direction, means operatively connecting the clutch element and shaft during rotation of said element in one direction only, means to prevent rotation of the shaft during rotation of the clutch element in the opposite direction, means to rotate the clutch element in the last-named direction, a fluid pressure system charged by and resisting rotation of the clutch element in the last named direction, and an adjustable escape port for said fluid pressure system.

10. In a feed control of the type described, a plurality of feed shafts, means for selectively drivingsaid shafts including a clutch element rotatable in opposite directions, means positively defining the limits of rotationof said clutch element in either direction, means to operatively connect said clutch element and a selected one of said shafts during rotation of said clutch element in one direction, means to rotate the clutch element in the opposite direction, means to prevent rotation of the selected shaft during rotation of the clutch element in the opposite direction, a fluid pressure system charged by rotation of the clutch element in the last named direction and resisting rotation of the clutch element in the last-named direction, and an adjustable escape port for said fluid pressure system. v

11. In a feed control of the type described, a feed shaft, means for selectively driving said shaft in either direction comprising a drive shaft, a reversing mechanism for said feed shaft, a magnetic clutch connecting saiddrive shaft and reversing mechanism including an element movable in one direction under influence of the clutch and in the opposite direction under influence of a spring, adjustable means limiting movement of said element in one direction, means for opening the circuit of the magnetic means to thereby limit movement of the element in the opposite di-. rection and means to prevent rotation of the shaft during movement of said element under influence of thespr n 12. Ina feed control of the typedescribed, a feed shaft, means for selectively driving said shaft in either direction comprising a drive shaft, a reversingmechanism for said feed shaft, a magnetic clutch connecting said drive shaft and reversing mechanism including an element movable in; one direction under influence of the clutch and in the opposite direction under influence of a spring; adjustable means limiting movement of said element in one direction, means for opening the circuit of the magnetic means to thereby limit movement of the element in the opposite direction, means to prevent rotation of the'shaft during movement of said element under influence of the spring and means to control the speed of movement of said element under influence of the spring.

13. In a machine tool having a drive, a work support and a tool holder, means including a friction clutch for causing relative feeding movement between said work support and tool holder, means mechanically limiting the movement of said clutch and the feeding movement, means including a first switch to cause engagement of said clutch, cyclically operated switching means for energizing the first switch, and means including a second switch operated by said clutch at the close of a feeding movement for deenergizing said first switch.

14. In a machine tool having a drive, a work support and a tool holder, means including a friction clutch for causing relative feeding movement between said work support and tool holder, means mechanically limiting the movement of said clutch and the feeding movement, means including a first switch to cause engagement of said clutch, cyclically operated switching means for energizing the first switch and completing a holding circuit therefor, and means including a second switch operated by said 'cluth at the close of a feeding movement for opening the holding circuit of said first switch. T

15. In a machinetool having a drive, a work support and a tool holder, means including a friction clutch for causing relative feeding movement between said work support and tool holder, a motor to drive the driven element of said clutch in one direction, means mechanically limiting the movement of said clutch and the feeding movement, means including a first switch to cause engagement of said clutch, cyclically operated switching means for energizing the first switch, means including a second switch operated by said clutch at'the close of a feeding movement for deenergizing said first switch, and a spring to reversely rotate said clutch to a position when disengaged.

16. In a machine tool having a drive, a workthe movement of said clutch and the feeding movement, means including a first switch to cause engagement of said clutch, cyclically operated switching means for energizing the first switch, means includinga second switch operated by said clutch at thev close of a feeding movement for: deenergizing .said first switch, a spring to reversely rotate said. clutch to a predetermined position when disengaged, and means to control the speed of movement. of the clutch when reversely rotated.

17. In a machine tool having .a drive, a work predetermined ing the first switch, means including a second switch operated by the intermediate element of the clutch for deenergizing the first clutch, a spring to reversely rotate the intermediate element of the clutch when the clutch is released, a positive stop limiting rotation of said element under the influence of said spring, and means for adjusting the position of the positive stop to vary the degree of rotation of said intermediate element of the friction clutch and the feeding movement.

WILLIAM R. MILLER. 

